Buckle
up for Round 4 between Essex County heavyweights who know each other
inside and out. Can't emphasize enough the collection of talent on
display in this match. If you need a refresher, you can check out my ECT final preview.
Montclair is 2-0-1 against Livingston this fall. The tie came in the
first meeting, a scoreless draw at Livingston, where this match will
take place. You can get live updates from this match @GreggLerner on
Twitter. Livingston is the defending section champ. Montclair is seeking
an elusive first title in this section; it won North Jersey, Section 2
in 2001. Among the endless plot lines in this one, keep an eye on
Livingston's offensive package of Erica Dippold, Ilana Bier, Clara
Scher, Joanna Scotti, Sabrina Flores, Kristine Kelly and Jordy Bonvini
trying to pierce Montclair's vaunted defense of keeper Sophia Lattanzio
and backliners Deja Davis, Kaila Jenkins, Erika Joab and Annie Monaghan.

GROUP 3

Ramapo (19-2) at Northern Highlands (20-0),
2

Anyone ranked in Top 20: Northern Highlands is No. 3, Ramapo is No. 9

Continuing
on our theme, this marks the third meeting between the Bergen foes.

Mitsu Yasukawa/ The Star-LedgerCaroline Chagares of Ramapo

Northern Highlands won the previous two encounters, including a 3-1
showing in the county final on Saturday. Defending champion Ramapo seeks
a 17th sectional title; Northern Highlands its fifth. Plenty of
firepower on display here. Madison Holleran influences Northern
Highlands offense as both a finisher and distributor while her defensive
teammates must continue to contain Ramapo's dangerous trio of Caroline
Chagares, Jen Andresen and Amanda Baumgarten.

GROUP 2

Ramsey (18-1-2) at Glen Rock (21-1), 11

Anyone ranked in Top 20: Glen Rock is No. 15, Ramsey is No. 19

Glen
Rock's signature defense boasts 19 shutouts, including a 1-0 victory
over Ramsey in the Bergen County Tournament quarterfinals, the lone
blemish on Ramsey's record. Glen Rock has outscored opponents, 91-5, and
is in position to claim its first section title since winning NJ, Sect.
1, Group 1 in 2003. Ramsey counters with 11 shutouts and a lethal
finisher to test that Glen Rock defense in Lexi Knief. Sophie Lederer
and Hannah Petrone, seasoned veterans, will seek to penetrate Ramsey's
defensive third.

GROUP 1

Verona (13-8) at Midland Park (13-6-2),
11

Make way for bracket-busting Verona, the nine seed, which has
upset eighth-seeded New Milford, top-seeded Pompton Lakes and
fourth-seeded Cresskill to get in position to vie for its first
sectional title. Midland Park is chasing a fourth title and first since
1994. Freshman Julia Ashley has collected two goals and three assists in
the post season for Verona and Olivia Marino has scored twice.

NORTH JERSEY, SECTION 2

GROUP 4

Bridgewater-Raritan (14-6-2) at Ridge (15-4-2), 2

Anyone ranked in Top 20: Ridge checks in at No. 20

Ed Murray/The Star-Ledger Alison Pine (22) of Ridge

Yet,
another final between more than familiar foes. These two Skyland
Conference, Delaware Division rivals met just once this fall with Ridge
scoring a 1-0 triumph on Sept. 20 on Emily Cutler's goal off a rebound
in the 32nd minute. The two sides combined for just eight shots in that
encounter, emphasizing their well-constructed defensive shape. Erin
Sullivan is a physical and active force in the B-R midfielder and
sophomore keeper Casey Murphy always seems to rise to a challenge. Gigi
Cifelli is dangerous on practically every type of restart for Ridge.
Ridge last won this section in 2008 while Bridgewater seeks its fourth
since 2003.

GROUP 3

West Morris (12-5-2) at Scotch Plains (16-2-3),
2

Anyone ranked in Top 20: Scotch Plains is No. 16

West Morris once dominated this section, winning it five
straight years from 1991 to 1995. Scotch Plains is no stranger to
claiming this section either, having done so twice in the last five years ('08
& '06). Neither side has yielded a goal in the state tournament;
West Morris has outscored its three opponents, 7-0, while Scotch Plains
has fashioned 5-0 scoring edge against its opposition. Leah Salituro and
Sarah Vanbuskirk will look to tax West Morris's staunch defense, which
has pitched five straight shutouts. The trio of Emily Thomas, Kelly
Kavanaugh and Sydney Sapir has combined for four goals and five assists
in three state tournament victories for West Morris.

GROUP 2

Parsippany (13-4-3) at Madison (14-4-1), 2

Both sides are
looking to stamp a wonderful campaign with its first sectional title.
They split in the regular season with Madison opening the year with a
1-0 triumph and Parsippany scoring a 2-1 rebuttal on Oct. 3. Parsippany
will have its eyes on containing playmaking senior center mid Catherine
Zimmerman while Madison hopes to neutralize Tiffany and Melissa Kelly as
well as Mae Noonan.

GROUP 1

Glen Ridge (12-6-1) at New Providence (15-1-1), 2

This marks
the fourth straight year the two sides collide in the section with New

Alex Schlobohm, New Providence

Providence winning the previous three meetings by an aggregate of 4-0.
In 2008 and 2010, the triumphs came in this section final, which serves
as the backdrop yet again. Versatile Claire Malone could make an impact
in the midfield or as a central defender for Glen Ridge, which also has a
masterful playmaker in Mary Alati. New Providence, the defending state
champion and in position for a fourth straight section crown, has no
shortage of outlets to complement its stout defense (seven goals
against). Alex Schlobohm has 14 goals and 10 assists.

Gotta
tip the cap to Marlboro, the highest remaining seed in the entire state
tournament field. The 15th-seeded Mustangs have lived on the edge,
opening with a 1-0 upset over second-seeded Middletown South before
consecutive shootout decisions over Old Bridge and Manalapan. Keeper
Ally Weinberg has been nothing short of sterling in the post-season. In
the insanely-deep Group 4 pool, Montgomery is one of the bigger fish and
a legit contender for a state title. It made that abundantly clear by
outlasting No. 6 Freehold Township, 3-2, in overtime on Tuesday in the
semis. Catrina Atanda is fun to watch attacking the goal out of the
midfield, Colby Ciarrocca is always a looming force around the net and
sophomores Katherine Lynch and Michelle Wiltse are instrumental in the
defensive third.

GROUP 3

Matawan (12-7-1) at Freehold Borough (13-4-2), 2

Matawan has
been building for this over the last four years and the work has paid
off for the Huskies, who make their first appearance in a sectional
final. Alexis Urbanksi sets a rugged tone on defense and Rebecca
Labinger (11 goals) can finish up top. Freehold Borough is on the verge
of its first section title since winning three straight from 2006 to
2008. It gritted its defensive teeth on Tuesday in battling Wall to a
scoreless draw before advancing in PKs. Sophomore Meghan Holtz has
emerged as a reliable option on offense while classmate Hayley Rice
proving a worthy complement.

GROUP 2

Shore Reg. (14-3-1) at Robbinsville (17-2-1), 5

Anyone ranked in the Top 20: Robbinsville checks in at No. 12

Robbinsville
has to make a quick bounce back after bowing to Pennington, 4-0, on
Wednesday in the Mercer County Tournament final. The Ravens, which won
two straight Group 1 state titles in 2008 and 2009, are on the verge of
their first sectional crown as a Group 2 member. Senior defender Lauren
Budzinski is a hounding marker who contains well and times tackles. She
will have to keep her eye on both Chelsey Henderson and Claudia LaMarca,
who've combined for 24 goals, to help Shore get in a position for a
first sectional crown since winning CJ Group 1 in 2002.

GROUP 1

New Egypt
(16-6) at Metuchen (15-1-1), 2

New Egypt finds itself challenging for its first sectional title due to an offense that can heat up in an
instant. Kayla Bancroft, Samantha Bendick and Nicole Miller take pride
in the pressure they put on a defense. What they will find waiting
for them in the Metuchen defensive third is a seasoned keeper in Ohio
State-bound Jillian McVicker, who has been an integral part of 15
shutouts for Metuchen, which is making a bid at its first section
championship since winning three straight from 2005 to 2007.

SOUTH JERSEY

GROUP 4

Eastern (16-5-2) at Lenape (21-2-1), 6:30

Anyone ranked in the
Top 20: Lenape is No. 4 and Eastern quite frankly could make a darn good
argument for its inclusion but is currently on the bubble.

Aristede Economopoulos/Star-LedgerKatie Rigby, Lenape

Eastern
could thoroughly burst that proverbial bubble if it can duplicate its
performance from Oct. 19 when it upset Lenape, 1-0, and knocked it from
its season-long perch atop The Star-Ledger Top 20. Madison Tiernan is a
creative and efficient tone-setter for Eastern's offense. But, what have
we learned about Lenape over the last four season? Quite alot, but for
me, it's how focused it becomes during the post season, an intangible
that's reaped the last four Group 4 state championships. Strong in every
facet of the game, it may employ Rachel Johnson to lock up on Tiernan
while stretching Eastern's defense thin through its expansive offensive
scheme, which includes senior striker Katie Rigby. One of these two
sides has won each of the last seven South Jersey sectional titles.

GROUP 3

Lower Cape May (13-4-3) at Moorestown (14-3-2),
1

Two teams that have flown below the radar for most of the season
are now front and center with a championship at stake. Lower Cape May,
which has never won a title, features an excellent weapon up top in
Madie Gibson (24 goals). Gabrielle McKeown (15 goals, nine assists) adds
ample support. With seven sectional titles to his credit, Moorestown
coach Bill Mulvihill will have his team prepared to contain the duo
while trying to devise ways to spring Frankie Angelieri on goal.

Defending
champion Middle Township boasts a pretty stringent defense (15
shutouts, seven goals against) to balance the scoring prowess of
Danielle McKeown and Maddie Devico. The duo will encounter fierce
resistance from a Haddonfield defense (19 shutouts, eight goals against)
that has it in position for a sixth title in the last seven years.
Senior Katie Johnston is among the more clutch performers when
championships are at stake.

GROUP 1

Schalick (16-2-2) at Haddon Twp. (17-5), 3

Haddon Township is
in the midst of a run of four straight shutouts as it preps for a chase
at its first section crown since 2000. Senior Patrice Maro sets a
quality tone besides offering a nice touch around the net. Taylor Clarke
and Nicky Cutera play well off Maro. It will have its hands full with
Schalick, which is riding a 13-game unbeaten streak in which its
outscored the opposition, 40-2. WOW! Nikki Adams (23 goals, 13 assists)
and Kendel Bernardini (16 goals, 9 assists) will fuel the attack as
Schalick takes aim at its first sectional championship since 2004.

NON-PUBLIC A

NORTH JERSEY

At Passaic
Tech, Little Falls

Pingry vs. Immaculate Heart, 5

Anyone ranked in the Top 20: Pingry sits atop the poll at No. 1 with IHA at No. 17.

Gregg LernerShayna Blackwood of Pingry

This
marks the third straight year the two meet for the sectional title.
IHA, which won each of the prior two contests, 1-0, en route to state
titles, needs to be credited for a return trip engineered by almost an
entirely new cast. Keeper K.C. Nunez is among the few carryovers for
IHA, which has made a steady ascent throughout the course of the season.
In order to win a third straight, it will have to orchestrate an upset
of a Pingry side which features a wealth of talent, technical savvy and
experience up and down the field. Senior forward Emily Damstrom has
put together a fantastic campaign while Corey Delaney and Shayna
Blackwood wreak havoc along the perimeters. Central defender Maggie
Morash keeps Pingry's defensive shape aligned.

SOUTH JERSEY

At Eastern, Voorhees

Paul VI (14-5-2) vs. Red Bank Catholic (16-2-2), 6:30

Anyone
ranked in the Top 20: RBC is No. 14 and Paul VI, though not currently in
the poll, opened the year at No. 3 and is resembling that squad at just
the right time.

Just like the contest up north, this final's
match-up is in its third straight installment. Red Bank Catholic
prevailed, 2-0, in 2009 and needed penalty kicks to outlast Paul VI last
year. RBC is difficult to contain due to its great balance. Certainly,
Mackenzie Cowley draws attention up top (25 goals) but take note of the
precise services of Olivia DeFelice and how well defenders Jackie
Cajigal and Bri Reed, two premier lockdown markers, make their timely
runs worthwhile and you get a sense of what a defense must be aware of
at all times. Paul VI subscribes to a similar philosophy. Sisters Loren
and Ari Reilley can lend support to the offense out of the defensive and
neutral third, respectively, and RBC knows it has to respect
Virginia-bound senior Brittany Ratcliffe up top.

NON-PUBLIC B

NORTH JERSEY

At Perth Amboy

Dwight Englewood (14-5) vs. Oak Knoll (11-4-2), 4

Dwight
Englewood features one of the state's premier scorers in Rutgers-bound
senior Rachel Cole (49 goals). Oak Knoll, which last won a section in
2002 when it claimed North Jersey, Non-Public A, has shown a solid
defensive foundation in the post season and will need to maintain shape.
Keeper Deidre Walsh has been tough to crack in net for Oak Knoll.

SOUTH JERSEY

At Holmdel

Mater Dei (8-12-1) vs. Wardlaw-Hartridge (17-3), 7:30

A couple
of first-timers who have fashioned impressive runs converge in pursuit
of their initial championships. And the two are on nearly opposite ends
of the spectrum. Wardlaw-Hartridge, which boasts a potent target in
Valentina Margiottiello (27 goals, 18) as well as Taylor Gerhart (16
goals, 10 assists) and Mairead Forrest (11 goals, 11 assists), upheld
its top-seeding. Mater Dei, which entered at 5-12-1 and the 11th seed,
has come alive behind a balanced offensive package that incorporates
Erin Shaw, Julia McCarthy and Lindsey Florio.